One feels the pinch only when the prices of petrol and diesel are hiked. The need for energy conservation and viable alternatives needs no overemphasis. Tapping technology in ways to achieve energy will be a major challenge in the near future. Energy conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy have remained the only option for various reasons.

First, the cost of oil import is a huge burden on the country’s balance of payments. Second, conventional sources of energy like coal, petrol, ignite and natural gas are limited and may soon be exhausted. Further, their use is not environment-friendly, causing lots of emission of carbon and changing the global climate.

The need of the hour is to increase renewable sources of energy like wind, solar, tidal, waves, biogas etc. Non-conventional sources of energy are cheap, clean and environment-friendly and available in abundance.

Besides, the government must commit itself to develop renewable and energy efficient strategy and use of the same with certain incentives. Growing dependence on road transport should be reversed in favour of more energy-efficient mass transport systems.

PRITPAL SINGH, New Delhi

II

Major oil companies’ efforts to conserve oil through seminars, clinics etc. is laudable. Students have also been roped in through cycle rallies. But government departments, the biggest guzzlers of oil and diesel, are out of the domain of the oil companies. Little is being done to involve and educate the government departments.

Some time ago, the Himachal government banned the use of government vehicles every Monday. Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University has started a campaign to keep off all vehicles in the campus every Monday. But in other states, people misuse petrol and diesel ruthlessly.

The government should check the misuse of its vehicles by officials, political bigwigs and others. Otherwise, campaigns for oil conservation will serve little purpose.

S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

Cruel misnomer

I read Dr Veena Wig’s letter, “Cremation ground needs a face-lift” (Feb 2). First, Chandigarh’s cremation ground is not exactly located in Sector 25. This sector borders on Sectors 14, 24 and 38 on three sides and an open space outside its western fringe. The cremation ground was set up on this (unsectored) space.

However, in official records as well as in public perception, Sector 25 has unjustifiably become synonymous with the cremation of the city’s dead. The Chandigarh Administration should now get this sector rid of the cruel misnomer.

Secondly, the beautification, decoration or renaming of this premise would not wipe the tears of those whose dead relative or friend is being cremated. The morose and gloom are inevitable at such a place, whatever the surroundings.

S.S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

Right age for marriage

The Law Commission has recommended 18 years as the minimum age for marriage for boys instead of 21 years as at present. Marriage is the time of adjustment in life and the age of 18 years is too low for entering into a practical and real life drama! Also marriage means financial stability.

Therefore, the right age for marriage is still 21 years for a boy. For girls, the right age can be 18 years. For, in our society, the main financial burden in married life continues to be on the boy. Even though girls do chip in finances in running the family, the main responsibility is that of the boy.

In any case, the ideal age for marriage for a girl is 20-25 as against the boy’s 25-30 years.

MAHESH KAPASI, New Delhi

Table tennis camp

This has reference to the news-item, “Power cuts
trip national table tennis camp” (Feb 13). We would like to clarify that despite the unprecedented power cuts, there has been no interruption to the ongoing indoor coaching camps in preparation for the ensuing Beijing Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

We have been providing prompt and continuous generator backup to meet emergencies.

MANGAT GOYAL
Asst Director, Sports Authority of India, Patiala

Geese, not ducks

Apropos of the photo under the caption,
“Valentine spirit” (Feb 15), it is geese, not ducks.